Massaging device

ABSTRACT

A massaging device comprising a plate adapted when vibrated by any suitable vibrating device and placed into intimate contact with a portion of a body to massage the portion. The plate is preferably flexible, and provided with projections extending from one surface thereof. A heating pad is held in register with the plate surface; the pad having openings through which the projections extend. The plate and pad are preferably provided with a belt or straps having fastening means for releasably securing the massaging device to the body portion with the heating pad and projection ends in engagement with the body portion. Alternatively, the massaging device may be provided with a handle by which the device may be manually placed into intimate contact with the body portion.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,710,784 Taylor Jan. 16, 1973 [54]MASSAGING DEVICE Primary Examiner-.l. D. Miller [76] lnventor: ClarenceR. Taylor, 28 Woodside Ass'stam Exammer Rbert H'ckey p d Att0rneySteveGremban [22] Filed: April 3, 1972 Appl. No.: 240,716

[57] ABSTRACT A massaging device comprising a plate adapted whenvibrated by any suitable vibrating device and placed into intimatecontact with a portion of a body to massage the portion. The plate ispreferably flexible,

and provided with projections extending from one surdevice to the bodyportion with the heating pad andprojection ends in engagement with thebody portion.

- Alternatively, the massaging device may be provided with a handle bywhich the device may be manually placed into intimate contact with thebody portion.

19 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures FIG.8

I MASSAGING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the InventionThis invention relates generally to the field of health,

and more specifically to a massaging device for mechanicallymanipulating a portion of a body.

2. Description of the Prior Art It is known in the prior art to'provideheating pads I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention includes withinits scope a massaging I device that is believed to more closely simulatehuman manual manipulation than any device known heretofore. Themassaging device in oneembodiment comprises a preferably thin, flexibleplate having projections such as fingers or ribs extending laterallyoutwardly from one surface, a heating pad having an inner surfaceadjacent to and in register'with the plate, and having complimentaryopenings'through which the projections extend with the ends of theprojections extending outwardly from the outer surface of the pad, andmeans for supporting the plate and pad for application to a body portionrequiring massaging.

In a more specific embodiment of the invention, the massaging devicecomprises a flexible plate secured to a vibratory device, the platehaving a plurality of spacedapart fingersextending laterally from onesurface thereof. A heating pad of any suitabletype having substantiallythe same outer diameteras the plate is placed with its inner surfaceadjacent to and in register with the plate. The pad is provided withopenings slightly larger in diameter than thecorresponding diameter ofthe fingers which extend therethrough with the ends thereof extendingpast the outer surface of the pad. The vibratory device, plate, and padis enclosedas a unit within a pocketformed by a belt, and the straps ofthe belt are provided with fastening means to facilitate releasablysupporting the massaging device with the pad and finger ends in intimatecontact with the portion of 'a body to be massaged. v

"is accordingly one of the objects of the present invention to providean improved massaging device for massaging'portions of a body andrelieving bodily aches and pains.

v A further object of the invention is to provide an improved massagingdevice that is versatile and convenient to use. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved massagingdevice that more closely simulates human manipulation than any priorknown devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved massagingdevice in which the amount of heat and vibration applied to a bodyportion is controllable.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improvedmassagingdevice that is of simple design and construction, thoroughlyreliable and efficient in operation, and economical to manufacture.

The invention and its objects and advantages will become more apparentfrom the detailed description of the preferred embodiments presentedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the detailed description of thepreferred embodi- 0 ments of the invention presented below, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

FIG. 1 is a rear side elevational view of a preferred I FIG. 2 showingthe plate and pad with portions of the device omitted for purposes ofclarity;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged segmental view in section taken substantiallyalong line'4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a segmental view in section similar to FIG. 4 showing amodification of the plate; a

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another modification of theplate of this invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged segmental section view taken substantially alongline 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a'view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a modification of theinvention; and

FIG. 9 is an electrical circuit diagram for the massagingdevice of thisinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIGS. 1through 5, a preferred embodiment of the massaging device of thisinvention is disclosed comprising a vibratory device 10 secured by anysuitable means, such as a rivet 12, to a preferably thin, flexible plate14 of any suitable shape or contour, such as planar. The vibratorydevice 10 is enclosed in a cup-shaped housing 16 secured to flanges 18on plate 14, and may comprise any suitable electric motor 20drivinglycoupled to an off-center weight 22, or an electrical solenoid,not shown, coupled to a tuned plate. When operated, the vibratory device10 imparts a vibratory motion to plate 14. The plate is preferablyflexible, and made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal.The outer surface of plate 14 is pro vided with a plurality of spacedprojections, such as laterally extending fingers 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3) orradially extending ribs 26(FIGS. 6 and 7). The projections the vibratorymotion. A heating pad 30 having an outer therebetween so that plate 14and projections 24 may.

vibrate and flex to conform to'the surface of a body portion withoutsubjecting the pad to undue stress and belt formed by inner and outerflexible layers 38,40 of plastic or cloth material. The belt layers38,40 maybe secured'toget'her along the periphery of the plate and padby any suitable means such as grommets 42, sewing, or cementing. Thebelt is further provided with straps 44 of any suitable flexiblematerial of sufficient length to wrap around any portion of a body, andthe straps areprovided with fastening means for releasably securing the.massaging device to the body. The fastening means may comprise anysuitable fastening devices, such as belt buckles, snap fasteners, orplastic fVelcron" (trademark) indicated at 46. The vibratory device andheating pad 30 are electrically connected by a cord 48 or the like toanysuitable electric power source, and maybe providedwith a controlpanel 50 (FIG. 1) having adjustable knobs 52,54 for I controlling thespeed of the vibratory device and the temperature of the heating'pad,respectively. As illusvary the heat, and different settings of knob 52varies plate is flexible, and the area of said opening is greater- 2.The invention according to claim 1 wherein the area of said opening'isgreater than the cross-sectional without engaging saidpad.

3. The invention according to claim l.wherein said than thecross-sectional area of the portion of said pro- 1 jection lying in thesame plane'as said pad, whereby plate, vibratory means, and heat pad areenclosed as a the field windings F,, F and F to vary the motor speedjThecircuits may be provided with any suitable thermostats T. When themassaging device is releasably secured to a body portion with the beltlayer 38, pad 30, and finger ends'24 in intimate contact with the body"portion, manually setting the speed and heat knobs 52,54 causes plate 14and projections 24 to vibrate relative to heating pad'30'to massage thebody portion while the pad simultaneously applies heat to the bodyarea.

In the. modification of the invention illustrated in FlG.-8, themassaging device isprovided with a handle portion 56, in lieu of thebelt straps, preferably secured to the housing ofthe vibratory device10. The pad 30'is' held on plate 14 by a flexible sheet 58 of fabricorthe l. ln a massaging device, the combination compris-. 7

ing:

, I aplate having at least'one projection extending from one surfacethereof; I I means coupledto the'opposite surface of said plateunitwithin an enclosure in which the portion thereof adjacent said heatpad is formed of a flexible material.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said plate, vibratorymeans, and heat pad are enclosed as a unit within an enclosure in whichthe portion thereof adjacent said heat pad is formed of. a flexible.material,

and fastening means on said enclosure for releasably I securing saidenclosure to an object with saidflexible material in intimate contactwith said object.

6. The invention according toclaim Swherein said fastening meanscomprises straps secured to said enclo-' sure, and latch means at theends of said straps.

7.'The invention according to claim 1 wherein said plate, vibratingmeans, and heat pad are'enclosed as a unit within an enclosure in whichthe portion thereof adjacent said heat pad is formed of aflexiblematerial,

and handle means secured to said vibrating means by which said flexiblematerial may be manually pressed into intimate engagement with anobject. a

8. The invention according to claim wherein said plate is flexible, andsaidprojection comprises a'fing er.

9. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said.

plate isflexible, and said projection comprises an elongated rib. I

10. In a device, the combination comprising: I a flexible plate having aplurality of spaced-apart projections extending from one surfacethereof; means coupled to the opposite surface of said plate 'forimparting vibration to said plate in a direction at an angle to saidprojections; I I an electrically heated pad in register with saidonesurface of said plate and having openings through which said projectionsextend with the ends of saidv the outermost surface I I I thecomplimentary portion of each of said fingers lying' forimpartingvibration to said plate in a plane at anangleto said projectiomand anelectrical heatpad adjacent toand in register-with said one' platesurface, and having an opening through which said projection extendswith the end of said projection exten ding'p ast the outermost surfaceof said'pad.

in the same plane as said pad, whereby said fingers can vibrate withoutengaging said pad.

i 13. The inventionaccording to claim 10 wherein said holding meanscomprises a flexible material secured to saidplate. P j I 14. Theinvention ac ording to claim 13, and further comprising fastening meansfor releasably securing said plate to'an object withsaid flexiblematerial, pad, and

ends of said fingers in intimatecontact with the object.

10 wherein said releasablysecuring said enclosure to' an object withsaid flexible material in intimate contact with said object.

19. The invention according to claim 10 wherein said holdingmeanscomprises a flexible material secured to said plate, and said devicefurther comprises handle means secured to said plate by which saidplate, pad, finger ends, and flexible material may be manually pressedinto intimate engagement with an object.

1. In a massaging device, the combination comprising: a plate having atleast one projection extending from one surface thereof; means coupledto the opposite surface of said plate for imparting vibration to saidplate in a plane at an angle to said projection; and an electrical heatpad adjacent to and in register with said one plate surface, and havingan opening through which said projection extends with the end of saidprojection extending past the outermost surface of said pad.
 2. Theinvention according to claim 1 wherein the area of said opening isgreater than the cross-sectional area of the portion of said projectionlying in the same plane as said pad, whereby said projection can vibratewithout engaging said pad.
 3. The invention according to claim 1 whereinsaid plate is flexible, and the area of said opening is greater than thecross-sectional area of the portion of said projection lying in the sameplane as said pad, whereby said projection can vibrate without engagingsaid pad.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said plate,vibratory means, and heat pad are enclosed as a unit within an enclosurein which the portion thereof adjacent said heat pad is formed of aflexible material.
 5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein saidplate, vibratory means, and heat pad are enclosed as a unit within anenclosure in which the portion thereof adjacent said heat pad is formedof a flexible material, and fastening means on said enclosure forreleasably securing said enclosure to an object with said flexiblematerial in intimate cOntact with said object.
 6. The inventionaccording to claim 5 wherein said fastening means comprises strapssecured to said enclosure, and latch means at the ends of said straps.7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said plate, vibratingmeans, and heat pad are enclosed as a unit within an enclosure in whichthe portion thereof adjacent said heat pad is formed of a flexiblematerial, and handle means secured to said vibrating means by which saidflexible material may be manually pressed into intimate engagement withan object.
 8. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said plate isflexible, and said projection comprises a finger.
 9. The inventionaccording to claim 1 wherein said plate is flexible, and said projectioncomprises an elongated rib.
 10. In a device, the combination comprising:a flexible plate having a plurality of spaced-apart projectionsextending from one surface thereof; means coupled to the oppositesurface of said plate for imparting vibration to said plate in adirection at an angle to said projections; an electrically heated pad inregister with said one surface of said plate and having openings throughwhich said projections extend with the ends of said projectionsextending past the outermost surface of said pad; and means for holdingsaid pad adjacent said plate.
 11. The invention according to claim 10wherein said plate is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart holestherethrough to distribute the vibratory action on said plate so thatall portions of the plate will have equal amplitude of vibration. 12.The invention according to claim 10 wherein said projections areresilient fingers, and the area of each of said openings is greater thanthe cross-sectional area of the complimentary portion of each of saidfingers lying in the same plane as said pad, whereby said fingers canvibrate without engaging said pad.
 13. The invention according to claim10 wherein said holding means comprises a flexible material secured tosaid plate.
 14. The invention according to claim 13, and furthercomprising fastening means for releasably securing said plate to anobject with said flexible material, pad, and ends of said fingers inintimate contact with the object.
 15. The invention according to claim14 wherein said fastening means comprises straps secured to said plate,and latch means at the ends of said straps.
 16. The invention accordingto claim 10 wherein said holding means comprises an enclosure enclosingsaid vibratory means, plate, and pad.
 17. The invention according toclaim 16 wherein the portion of said enclosure adjacent said pad and theends of said fingers is formed of a flexible material.
 18. The inventionaccording to claim 17, and further including fastening means on saidenclosure for releasably securing said enclosure to an object with saidflexible material in intimate contact with said object.
 19. Theinvention according to claim 10 wherein said holding means comprises aflexible material secured to said plate, and said device furthercomprises handle means secured to said plate by which said plate, pad,finger ends, and flexible material may be manually pressed into intimateengagement with an object.